\"Ican\'thelpyouinthat，\"thewomansaid；\"buttherearecertainlysomeboatslaidupalongtheshore。Now，Maria，whohasgotboatsthathaven\'tbeentaken？\"
\"IexpecttheJohnsonshavegotone，\"theotherwomanreplied。
\"Theyhadasmallboattheboysandgirlsusedtogooutfishingin。
Idon\'tthinktheYankshavegotthat。Iexpecttheyhiditawaysomewhere；butIdon\'tknowastheywouldletyouhaveit。Sheisaclose-fistedwomanisSarahJohnson。\"
\"Icouldpayherforitsvalue，\"Vincentsaid。
\"Oh，well，ifyoucouldpayhershewouldletyouhaveit。
Idon\'tsayshewouldn\'t，anyhow，seeingasyouareanofficer，andtheYanksareafteryou。Still，sheiscloseisSarahJohnson，andI
don\'tknowassheissosetontheConfederacyasmostpeople。I
tellyouwhatIwilldo，sir。Iwillgodownandsayasastrangerwantstobuyherboat，andnoquestionsasked。Sheisjusttoshowwheretheboatishidden，andyouaretopayforitandtakeitawaywhenyouwantit。\"
\"Thatwouldbeaverygoodplan，\"Vincentsaid，\"ifyouwouldn\'tmindthetrouble。\"
\"Thetroubleisnothing，\"shesaid。\"Johnson\'splaceain\'taboveamilealongtheshore。\"
\"Iwillgowithyouuntilyougetclosetothehouse，\"Vincentsaid；
\"then，whenyouhearwhatshewantsfortheboat，Iwillgiveyouthemoneyforit，andyoucanshowmewhereitishidden。\"
Thiswasaccordinglydone。Mrs。Johnson，afteraconsidorableamountofbargainingwithVincent\'sguide，agreedtotaketwentydollarsfortheboat，anduponreceivingthemoneysentdownoneofherboyswithhertoshowherwhereitwashidden。Itwasinaholethathadbeenscoopedoutinthesteepbanksometenfootabovethewater\'sedge，andwascompletelyhiddenfromthesightofanyonerowingpastbyasmallclumpofbushes。WhentheboyshadreturnedtothefarmhousethewomantookVincenttothespot，andtheythenwentbacktogether。
HereheandTonyhadalongtalkastowhetheritwouldbebettertoputoutatonceortowaittillnightfall。Itwasfinallydeterminedthatitwasbesttomakeanimmediatestart。Aboatrowedbytwomenwouldattractlittleattention。Itmightbelongtoanyoftheshipsatanchorintheriver，andmightbesupposedtohavegoneonshoretofetcheggsorchickens，orwithaletteroramessage。
\"Yousee，bothshoresareinthehandsoftheYankees，\"Vincentsaid，\"andtherewillnotbeanysuspicionofaboatinthedaytime。
Atnightwemightbehailed，andifwegavenoanswerfiredupon，andthatnightbringagunboatalongtoseewhatwasthematter。
No，Ithinkitwillbefarbesttogoonboldly。TherearenotlikelytobeanybodiesofFederaltroopsontheoppositeshoreexceptatFortressMonroe，andperhapsoppositethepointwheretheyhavegottheirlandingbelowPetersburg。Onceashoreweshallbesafe。
Thepeninsulaoppositeiscoveredwithforestandswamp，andweshallhavenodifficultyingettingthroughhowevermanytroopstheymayhaveacrossit。Youknowtheplaceprettywell，don\'tyou，Tony？\"
Tonynodded。\"Onceacross，sah，alldeYankarmywouldn\'tcatchus。Meknowoblotsobhiding-places。\"
\"Thembroadhatswillneverdo，\"thewomansaid；\"butIhavegotsomebluenightcapsIknittedformyhusband。TheyaresomethinglikethecapsIhavesoonsomesailorswear；anyhow，theywillpassatadistance，andwhenyoutakeyourcoatsandvestsoff，themcoloredflannelshirtswillbejusttherightthing。\"
\"Thatwilldocapitally，andthesoonerweareoffthebettor，\"
Vincentsaid，andafterheartilythankingthetwowomen，andbestowingapresentuponeachofthechildren，theystartedalongtheshore。
Theboatwassoongotintothewater，theoarsputout，andtheystarted。Thetidewasjustlownow，andtheyagreedtopullalongatashortdistancefromtheshoreuntilitturned。Assoonasitdidsothevesselsatanchorwouldbegettingupsailtomakeuptothelanding-place，andevenhadanyoneonboardnoticedtheboatputout，andhadbeenwatchingit，theywouldhaveotherthingstothinkabout。
\"Itissometimesincewelastrowedinaboattogether，Tony。\"
\"Aboutthreeyears，sah；dattimewhenyougotmesafeaway。I
hadabadfrightdatdayyouleftme，sah。Itcameontoblowberyhard，andsomeohdementoldmedatdeydidnottinkyouwouldevergetbacktoshore。Datmademeawfulbad，sah；andmewishoberandoberagaindatmehabdiedindeforestinsteadohyourtakingmeoffinaboatandtrowingawayyourlife。Ineberfelthappyagain，sah，tillIgotyourletterupinCanady，andknewyouhadgotbacksafedatday。\"
\"Wehadanarrowsqueakofit，Tony，andwereblownsomedistanceup。Wewerenearlyswampedascoreoftimes，andDanquitemadeuphismindthatitwasallupwithus。However，wegotthroughsafe，andIdon\'tthinkasoul，exceptperhapsJacksonandthatrascallyoverseerofours，whoafterwardhadahandincarryingoffyourwife，andlosthislifeinconsequence，everhadasuspicionwehadbeendoingmorethanalongfishingexpedition。I
willtellyouallaboutitwhenwearegoingthroughthewoods。
NowIthinkit\'sprettynearlydeadwater，andwewillbegintoedgeacross。\"
CHAPTERXX。THEENDOFTHESTRUGGLE。
VINCENTdirectedhiscoursesothatwhiletheboat\'sheadwasstillpointingupthestream，andshewasapparentlymovinginthesamedirectionastheships，shewasgradua]lygettingouttothemiddleoftheriver。Hadhetriedtorowstraightacrosssuspicionmightatoncehavebeenexcited。Inhalfanhourtheywereinthemiddleofthestream。Avesselpassingunderfullsailsweptalongatadistanceofahundredyards，andtheywerehailed。Vincentmerelywavedhishandandcontinuedhiscourse。
\"Idaresaythosefellowswonderwhatweareupto，Tony；buttheyarenotlikelytostoptoinquire。Inanotherquarterofanhourweshallbeprettysafe。Ah!there\'safellowwhomightinterferewithus，\"headdedlookinground。\"Doyouseethatlittleblackthingtwomilesaheadofus？that\'sasteamlaunch。Ifsheseesusmakingovershe\'slikelyenoughtocomeandaskussomequestions。Wehadbetterheadalittlemoretowardtheshorenow。
IfitcomestoaraceeveryfootisofimportanceUptonowtheyhadbeenrowinginaneasyandleisurelymanner，avoidingallappearanceofhaste。Theynowbenttotheiroars，andtheboatbegantotravelagooddealfasterthroughthewater。
Vincentglancedoverhisshoulderfrequentlyatthesteamlaunch。
\"Sheiskeepingstraightoninthemiddleofthechannel，Tony；
evidentlyshehasn\'tnoticedusyet。\"
Tenminutesafterpassingtheshipheexclaimedsharply:
\"Row，Tony，ashardasyoucan；thelaunchhasjustpassedthatship，andhaschangedhercourse。Iexpectthecaptainhascalledtheirattentiontous。It\'saracenow。\"
Theboat，atthemomentthelaunchchangedhercourse，wasrathermorethanhalfwaybetweenthecenterofthechannelandtheshore。Thelaunchwasinthecenterofthechannel，andthree-quartersofamilehigherup。Shehadevidentlyputonsteamasshestartedtocutofftheboat，fortherewasnowawhitewaveatherbow。
\"Ithinkweshalldoit，Tony，\"Vincentsaid。\"Idon\'tsupposeshecangoaboveeightmilesanhourandwearecertainlygoingfour，andshehasmorethantwiceasfartotravelaswehave。\"
Thoseonboardthelaunchwereevidentlyconsciousthattheywerelikelytolosetherace，forinafewminutestheybegantoopenfirewiththeirrifles。
\"Fireaway，\"Vincentsaid。\"Youain\'tlikelytohitusathousandyardsoff，andwehaven\'tanotherthreehundredtorow。\"
Thebulletswhistledoverhead，butnoneofthemstruckthewaterwithinmanyyardsoftheboat，andthelaunchwasstillfourorfivehundredyardsawaywhenthebowoftheboattouchedtheshore。
SeveralmusketsweredischargedasVincentandTonyleapedoutandplungedintothebushesthatcamedowntothewater\'sedge。
Thelaunchsentupasharpseriesofwhistles，andrandomshotswereforsometimefiredintothebushes。
\"Itisluckyshedidn\'tcarryasmallguninherbow，\"Vincentsaid；
\"forthoughsevenoreighthundredyardsisalongrangeforarifle，theymightlikelyenoughhavehitusiftheyhadhadagun。Now，Tony，weshallhavetobecareful，forthosewhistlesarenodoubtmeantasanalarm；andalthoughshecannottellwhoweare，shewillprobablysteamup，andiftheyhaveanyforceoppositeBurmudawillgivethemnewsthattwosuspiciouscharactershavelanded，andtheywillhavepartiesouttolookforus。\"
\"Deycanlookaslongasdeylike，sah。Efdoseslave-hunterscan\'tfindpeopleindeswampswhatchanceyoutinkdosesoldiershave？Noneatall。Deyhaven\'tgotnorewardbeforedereeyes，anddeywon\'twanttobegoinginoberdereshoesintodemudanddirtingdereuniforms。Nofearobdem，sah。Deymakeasmuchnoisewhendeymarchindowoodasadroveohpigs。Youcanheardemaquarterobamileaway。\"
TheytrampedonthroughthewoodsthroughwhichMcClellan\'sforcehadsopainfullymadetheirwayduringtheirfirstadvanceagainstRichmond。Fromtimetotimetheycouldhearnoisesintheforest-shouts，andonceortwicethedischargeoffirearms。
\"Deycalldathunting，1s\'pose，\"Tonysaidscornfully。
Theykeptsteadilyonuntilitbegantogrowdarkintheforest。
TheywerenowintheWhiteOakSwampandnoteightmilesfromRichmond，andtheythoughtitbettertopauseuntilitbecamequitedark，fortheymightbepickedupbyanyraidingpartyofcavalry。
Vincentwasinhighspirits。Now，thathehadsucceededinhisenterprise，andhadescapedalmostbyamiracle，hewaseagertogetbacktoRichmondandcarryhisnewsdowntoGeneralLee。
Tonywasevenmoreanxioustopushon。Atlast，afterthreeyears\'
absence，hewastoseehiswifeandchildagain，andhereluctantlyagreedtoVincent\'sproposalforahalt。
Wesha\'n\'tstopverylong，Tony；andIownIamwaitingquiteasmuchbecauseIamhungryandwanttoeat，andbecauseIamdesperatelytired，asfromanyfearoftheenemy。WewalkedtwentymileslastnightfromUnionGrovetotheriver，thenI
walkedtotheboat，backtothefarmandthenbacktotheboatagain-that\'sthreemoremiles-andwehavegoneanothertwentynow。Iamprettynearlydeadbeat，Icantellyou。\"
\"I\'setiredtoo，sah；butIfeelIcouldgoonwalkingallnightifI
wastoseeDinahindomorning。\"
\"Well，Icouldn\'t，Tony；nottoseeanyone。Imightbewillingenough，butmylegswouldn\'ttakeme。\"
Theyateaheartymeal，andalmostassoonastheyhadfinishedVincentstoodupagain。
\"Well，Tony，Icanfeelforyourimpatience，andsowewillstruggleon。IhavejustbeenthinkingthatwhenIlastleftmymotheraweeksinceshesaidshewasthinkingofgoingouttotheOrangeryforamonthbeforetheleavesfell，soitisprobablethatshemaybetherenow。ItisonlyaboutthesamedistanceasitistoRichmond，sowewillgostraightthere。Ishalllosealittletime，ofcourse；butIcanbedrivenovertoRichmond，soitwon\'tbetoomuch。Besides，Icanputonapairofslippers。Thatwillbeacomfort，formyfeetfeelasiftheywereinvises。Acupofteawon\'tbeabadthing，too。\"
DuringtheirwalkthroughthewoodVincenthadrelatedthecircumstancesofthecarryingawayofDinahandofherrescue。
WhenhehadfinishedTonyhadsaid:
\"Well，MassaWingfield，Idon\'tknowwhattosaytoyou。ItoughtIowedyouenuffbefore，butitwarnothingtodis。JusttotinkdatyoushouldtakealldatpainstofetchDinahbackforme。Idunnohowitcametoyoutodoit。Itseemstomelikeasifyoubeensentspecialfromhebentododispoorniggergood。Wordsain\'tnogood，sah；butofIcouldgivemylifeawayahundredtimesforyouIwoulddoit。\"
Ittookthemnearlythreehours\'walkingbeforetheycameinsightoftheOrangery。
\"Therearelightsinthewindows，\"Vincentsaid。\"Thankgoodnesstheyarethere。\"
Vincentlimpedslowlyalonguntilhereachedthehouse。
\"Youstayouthere，Tony。IwillsendDinahouttoyoudirectly。Itwillbebetterforhertomeetyouherealone。\"
Vincentwalkedstraightintothedrawing-room，wherehismotherandAnnieweresitting。
\"Why，Vincent!\"Mrs。Wingfieldexclaimed，startingup，whathashappenedtoyou？Whatareyoudresseduplikethatfor？Isanythingthematter？\"
\"Nothingisthematter，mother，exceptthatIamastiredasadog。
Yes，mydressisnotquitefitforadrawing-room，\"helaughed，lookingdownattheroughtrouserssplashedwithmudtothewaist，andhisflannelshirt，fortheyhadnotwaitedtopickuptheircoatsastheylefttheboat；\"butnothingisthematter，Icanassureyou。I
willtellyouaboutitdirectly，butfirstpleasesendforDinahhere。\"
Mrs。Wingfleldrangthebellonthetablebesideher。
\"TellDinahIwanttospeaktoheratonce，\"shesaidtothegirlthatansweredit。Dinahappearedinaminute。
\"Dinah，\"Vincentsaid，\"hasyourboygonetobed？\"
\"Yes，sah；beengoneanhourago。\"
\"Well，justgotohim，andputashawlroundhim，andgooutthroughthefrontdoor。Thereissomeonestandingthereyouwillbegladtosee。
Dinahstoodwithopeneyes，thenherhandsbegantotremble。
\"IsitTony，sah；fordoLord\'ssake，isitTony？\"
Vincentnodded，andwithalittlescreamofjoysheturnedandranstraighttothefrontdoor。Shecouldnotwaitnoweventofetchherboy，andinanothermomentshewasclaspedinherhusband\'sarms。
\"Now，Vincent，tellusallaboutit，\"hismothersaid。\"Don\'tyouseewearedyingofcuriosity？\"
\"AndIamdyingoffatigue，\"Vincentsaid；\"whichisamuchmorepainfulsortofdeath，andIcanthinkofnothingelseuntilIhavegotthesebootsoff。Annie，dorunandtellthemtobringmeapairofslippersandacupoftea，andIshallwantthebuggyatthedoorinhalfanhour。\"
\"Youarenotgoingawayagainto-night，Vincent，surely？\"hismothersaidanxiously。\"Youdolookcompletelyexhausted。\"
\"Iamexhausted，mother。Ihavewalkedsevenoreight-and-fortymiles，andthiscavalryworkspoilsoneforwalkingaltogether。\"
\"Walkedforty-eightmiles，Vincent!Whatonearthhaveyoudonethatfor？\"
\"Notfromchoice，Icanassureyou，mother；butyouknowtheoldsaying，\'Needsmustwhenthedevildrives，\'andinthepresentcaseyoumustread\'Yankee\'insteadof\'thegentlemaninblack。\'
\"ButhasPetersburgfallen？\"Mrs。Wingfieldaskedinalarm。
\"No；Petersburgissafe，andislikelytocontinueso。Butyoumustreallybepatient，mother，untilIhavehadsometea，thenyoucanhearthestoryinfull。\"
WhentheservantcameinwiththeteaVincenttoldherthatshewastotellDinah，whomshewouldfindontheveranda，tobringherhusbandintothekitchen，andtogivehimeverythinghewanted。Then，assoonashehadfinishedtea，hetoldhismotherandsistertheadventureshehadgonethrough。Bothwerecryingwhenhehadfinished。
\"Iamproudofyou，Vincent，\"hismothersaid。\"Itishardonusthatyoushouldrunsuchrisks；stillIdonotblameyou，myboy，forifIhadtensonsIwouldgivethemallformycountry。\"
Vincenthadbutjustfinishedhisstorywhentheservantcameinandsaidthatthebuggywasatthedoor。
\"Iwillgoinmyslippers，mother，butIwillrunupandchangemyotherthings。It\'sluckyIhavegotasparesuithere。Anyofourfellowswhohappenedtobegoingdownto-nightinthetrainwouldthinkthatIwasmadwereItogolikethis。\"
Itwasoneo\'clockinthemorningwhenVincentreachedPetersburg。Hewentstraighttohisquarters，asitwouldbenousewakingGeneralLeeatthathour。Alightwasburninginhisroom，andDanwasasleepatthetablewithhisheadonhisarms。Heleapedupwithacryofjoyashismasterentered。
\"Well，Dan，hereIamsafeagain，\"Vincentsaidcheerily。\"Ihopeyouhadnotbeguntogivemeup。\"
\"Ibegantobeterriblyfrightened，sir-terriblyfrightened。IwentdisafternoonandaskedCaptainBurleyifhehadanynewsohyou。
Hesaid\'No；\'andaskedmeefIknewwhereyouwere。Isaid\'No，sah；\'thatIknewnuffinaboutitexceptthatyouhadgoneonsomedangerousjob。Hesaidhehopedthatyouwouldbebacksoon；
andcertainly，asfarasdeyhadheard，nuffinhadhappenedtoyou。
StillIwasberyanzious，andtoughtIwouldsituptilldelasttraincameinfromRichmond。DenItinkIdroppedofftosleep。\"
\"Ithinkyoudid，Dan。Well，Iamtootiredtotellyouanythingaboutitnow，butIhaveonepieceofnewsforyou；Tonyhascomebacktohiswife。\"
\"Dat\'sgoodnews，sah；berygoodnews。IhadbeguntobeafraiddatTonyhadbeenshotorhungorsometing。IknowDinahhabbeenfrettingabouthimthoughsheneversaidmuch，butwhenI
amathomesheallusasksmeallsortsofquestions\'bouthim。Sheberygladwomannow。\"
ThenextmorningVincentwenttoGeneralLee\'squarters。
\"Iamheartilygladtoseeyouback，\"thegeneralsaidwarmlyasheentered。\"Ihaveblamedmyselfforlettingyougo。Well，whatsuccesshaveyouhad？\"
\"Hereisaroughplanoftheworks，general。Ihavenothadtimetodoitoutfairly，butitshowsthepositionsofalltheirprincipalbatteries，witharoughestimateastothenumberofgunsthateachisintendedtocarry。\"
\"Excellent!\"thegeneralsaid，glancingovertheplan。\"Thiswillgiveusexactlytheinformationwewant。Wemustsettowithourcounter-worksatonce。Thecountryisindeedindebtedtoyou，sir。
SoyoumanagedtocheattheYankeesaltogether？\"
\"Ishouldhavecheatedthem，sir；but\'unfortunatelyIcameacrossanoldacquaintancewhodenouncedme，andIhadanarrowescapeofbeingshot。\"
\"Well，CaptainWingfield，Imustseeaboutthisbusiness，andgiveordersatonce。Willyoucomeandbreakfastwithmeathalf-pasteight？Thenyoucangivemeanaccountofyouradventures。\"
Vincentreturnedtohisquarters，andspentthenexttwohoursinmakingadetaileddrawingoftheenemy\'spositionsandbatteries，andthenathalf-pasteightwalkedovertoGeneralLee\'squarters。
ThegeneralreturnedinafewminuteswithGeneralWadeHamptonandseveralotherofficers，andtheyatoncesatdowntobreakfast。Asthemealwasproceedinganorderlyenteredwithatelegramforthegeneral。GeneralLeeglancedthroughit。
\"This，gentlemen，isfromtheministerofwar。IacquaintedhimbytelegraphthismorningthatCaptainWingfield，whohadvolunteeredforthedangerousservice，hadjustreturnedfromtheFederallineswithaplanofthepositionsandstrengthofalltheworksthattheyareerecting。IsaidthatItrustedthatsuchdistinguishedserviceashehadrenderedwouldbeatoncerewardedwithpromotion，andtheministertelegraphstomenowthathebaathismorningsignedthisyoungofficer\'scommissionasmajor。Iheartilycongratulateyou，sir，onyourwell-earnedstep。
Andnow，asIseeyouhavefinishedyourbreakfast，perhaps，youwillgive\'usanaccountofyourproceedings。\"
Vincentgaveadetailedaccountofhisadventures，whichwereheardwithsurpriseandinterest。
\"Thatwasanarrowescape，indeed，\"thegeneralsaid，ashefinished。\"Itwasamarvelousthingyourlightinguponthisnegro，whomyousayyouhadoncehadanopportunityofserving，justatthatmoment；andalthoughyoudonottelluswhatwasthenatureoftheserviceyouhadrenderedhim，itmusthavebeenaveryconsiderableserviceorhewouldneverhaveriskedhislifeinthatwaytosaveyours。Whenthesenegroesdofeelattachmentfortheirmasterstherearenomorefaithfulanddevotedfellows。Well，inyourcasecertainlyagoodactionhasmetwithitsreward；ifithadnotbeenforhimtherecouldbenoquestionthatyourdoomwassealed。Itisastrangethingtooyourmeetingthattraitor。I
rememberreadingaboutthatescapeofyoursfromtheYankeeprison。Hemusthavebeenanungratefulvillain，afteryourtakinghimwithyou。\"
\"Hewasabadfellowaltogether，Iamafraid，\"Vincentsaid；\"andthequarrelbetweenuswasalong-standingone。\"
\"Whateveryourquarrelwas，\"thegeneralsaidhotly，\"amanwhowouldbetrayevenanenemytodeathinthatwayisavillain。
However，hehasgonetohisaccount，andthecountrycanforgivehistreacherytoher，asIhavenodoubtyouhavealreadydonehisconducttowardyour-self。\"
AshorttimeafterwardVincenthadleaveforaweek，asthingswerequietatPetersburg。
\"Mother，\"hesaidonthemorningafterhegothome9\"Ifearthatthereisnodoubtwhatevernowhowthisstrugglewillend。IthinkwemightkeepGrantatbayhere，butShermanistoostrongforusdowninGeorgia。WearealreadycutofffrommostoftheSouthernStates，andintimeShermanwillsweeproundhere，andthenitwillbeallover。Youseeityourself，don\'tyou，mother？\"
\"Yes，Iamafraiditcannotcontinuemuchlonger，Vincent。Well，ofcourse，weshallfighttotheend。\"
\"Iamnottalkingofgivingup，mother；Iamlookingforwardtothefuture。Thefirststepwillbethatalltheslaveswillbefreed。Now，itseemstomethathoweverattachedtheymaybetotheirmastersandmistressestbeywilllosetheirheadsoverthis，flockintothetowns，andnearlystarvethere；orelsetakeuplittlepatchesoflandandcultivatethem，andlivefromhandtomouth，whichwillberuintothepresentownersaswellastothem。Anyhowforatimeallwillbeconfusionanddisorder。Now，myideaisthis，ifyougiveallyourslavestheirfreedomatonce，offerthempatchesoflandfortheirowncultivationandemploythematwages，youwillfindthatagreatmanyofthemwillstopwithyou。Thereisnowhereforthemtogoatpresentandnothingtoexcitethem，sobeforethegeneralcrashcomestheywillhavesettleddownquietlytoworkhereintheirnewpositions，andwillnotbelikelytogoaway\"Itisaserioussteptotake，Vincent，\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid，afterthinkingthematteroverinsilenceforsometime。\"Youdonotthinkthereisanyprobablityoftheultimatesuccessofourcause？\"
\"None，mother；Idonotthinkthereisevenapossibility。OnebyonetheSouthernStateshavebeenwrestedfromtheConfederacy。
Sherman\'smarchwillcompletelyisolateus。Wehaveputourlastavailablemaninthefield，andtremendousasarethelossesoftheenemytheyareabletofillupthegapsasfastastheyaremade。
No，mother，donotletusdeceiveourselvesonthathead。Theendmustcome，andthatbeforelong。Theslaveswillunquestionablybefreed，andtheonlyquestionforusishowtosoftentheblow。
Thereisnodoubtthatourslaves，bothattheOrangeryandattheotherplantations，arecontentedandhappy；butyouknowhowfickleandeasilyledthenegroesare，andintheexcitementoffindingthemselvesfreeandabletogowheretheyplease，youmaybesurethatthegreaternumberwillwanderaway。Myproposalis，thatweshouldatoncemarkoutaplotoflandforeachfamilyandtellthemthataslongastheystayhereitistheirsrent-free；theywillbepaidfortheirworkupontheestate，three，four，orfivedaysaweek，astheycansparetimefromtheirownplots。Inthiswaytheywillbesettleddown，andhavecropsupontheirplotsofland，beforethewholeblackpopulationisupsetbythesuddenabolitionofslavery。\"
\"Butsupposingtheywon\'tworkatall，evenforwages，Vincent？\"
\"Ishouldnotgivethemtheoption，mother；itwillbeaconditionoftheirhavingtheirplotsoflandfreethattheyshallworkatleastthreedaysaweekforwages。\"
\"Iwillthinkoverwhatyousay，Vincent，andtellyoumydecisioninthemorning。Icertainlythinkyourplanisagoodone。\"
ThenextmorningMrs。WingfieldtoldVincentthatshehaddecidedtoadopthisplan。Heatonceheldalongconsultationwiththeoverseer，anddecidedwhichfieldsshouldbesetasidefortheallotments，choosinglandClosetothenegroes\'quartersandsuitablefortheraisingofvegetablesforsaleinthetown。
IntheafternoonMrsWingfieldwentdownwithhim。Thebellwasrungandthewholeoftheslavesassembled。Vincentthenmadethemaspeech。Hebeganbyremindingthemofthekindtreatmenttheyhadalwaysreceived，andofthegoodfeelingthathadexistedbetweentheownersoftheOrangeryandtheirslaves。Hepraisedthemfortheirgoodconductsincethebeginningofthetroubles，andsaidthathismotherandhimselfhadagreedthattheywouldnowtakestepstorewardthem，andtostrengthenthetiebetweenthem。Theywouldallbegrantedtheirfreedomatonce，andalargeplotoflandwouldbegiventoeachman，asmuchasheandhisfamilycouldcultivatewithanaverageoftwodaysaweeksteadylabor。
Thosewholikedwould，ofcourse，beatlibertytoleave；buthehopedthatnoneofthemwouldavailthemselvesofthisfreedom，fornowherewouldtheydosowellasbyacceptingtheofferhemadethem。Allwhoacceptedtheofferofaplotoflandrent-freemustunderstandthatitwasgrantedthemupontheconditionthattheywouldlaborupontheestateforatleastthreedaysaweek，receivingarateofpaysimilartothatearnedbyotherfreednegroes。Ofcoursetheywouldbeatlibertytoworkfourorfivedaysaweekiftheychose；butatleasttheymustworkthreedaysandanyonefailingtodothiswouldforfeithisplotofland。\"Threedays\'work，\"hesaid，\"willbesufficienttoprovideallnecessariesforyourselvesandfamiliesandtheproduceofyourlandyoucansell，andwillsobeabletolaybyanamplesumtokeepyourselvesinoldage。Ihavealreadyplottedoutthelandandyoushallcastlotsforchoiceoftheplots。Therewillbealittledelaybeforeallyourpapersoffreedomcanbemadeout，butthearrangementwillbeginfromto-day，andhenceforthyouwillbepaidforalllabordoneontheestate。\"
ScarcelyawordwasspokenwhenVincentconcluded。Thenewswastoosurprisingtothenegroesforthemtobeabletounderstanditallatonce。DanandTony，towhomVincenthadalreadyexplainedthematter，wentamongthem，andtheygraduallytookinthewholeofVincent\'smeaning。Afewreceivedthenewswithgreatjoy，butmanyothersweredepressedratherthanrejoicedattheresponsibilitiesoftheirnewpositions。Hithertotheyhadbeenclothedandfed，thedoctorattendedtheminsickness，theirmasterwouldcarefortheminoldage。Theyhadbeenliterallywithoutacareforthemorrow，andthethoughtthatinfuturetheywouldhavetothinkofallthesethingsforthemselvesalmostfrightenedthem。SeveraloftheoldermenwentuptoMrs。Wingfieldandpositivelydeclinedtoaccepttheirfreedom。Theywerequitecontentedandhappy，andwantednothingmore。Theyhadworkedontheplantationsincetheyhadbeenchildren，andfreedomofferedthemnotemptationswhatever。
\"Whathadwebetterdo，Vincent？\"Mrs。Wingfieldasked。
\"Ithink，mother，itwillbebesttotollthemthatallwhowishcanremainupontheoldfooting，butthattheirpaperswillbemadeoutandifatanytimetheywishtohavetheirfreedomtheywillonlyhavetosayso。Nodoubttheywillsoonbecomeaccustomedtotheidea，andseeinghowcomfortabletheothersarewiththeirpayandtheproduceoftheirgardenstheywillsoonfallinwiththerest。Ofcourseitwilldecreasetheincomefromtheestate，butnotsomuchasyouwouldthink。Theywillbepaidfortheirlabor，butweshallhaveneithertofeednorclothethem；andIthinkweshallgetbetterlaborthanwedonow，fortheknowledgethatthosewhodonotworksteadilywilllosetheirplotsofland，andhavetogooutintheworldtowork，theirplacesbeingfilledbyothers，willkeepthemsteady。\"
\"It\'sanexperiment，Vincent，andweshallseehowitworks。\"
\"It\'sanexperimentIhaveoftenthoughtIshouldliketomake，mother，andnowyouseeitisalmostforceduponus。To-morrowI
willrideovertotheotherplantationsandmakethesamearrangements。\"
DuringthemonthofAugustmanybattlestookplaceroundPetersburg。Onthe12ththeFederalsattacked，butwererepulsedwithheavyloss，and2，500prisonersweretaken。Onthe21sttheConfederatesattacked，andobtainedacertainamountofsuccess，killing，wounding，andcapturing2，400men。Petersburgwasshelleddayandnight，andalmostcontinuousfightingwenton。
Nevertheless，uptothemiddleofOctoberthepositionsofthearmiesremainedunaltered。Onthe27thofthatmouththeFederalsmadeanothergeneralattack，butwererepulsedwithalossof1，500men。Duringthenextthreemonthstherewaslittlefighting，theConfederateshavingnowsostrengthenedtheirlinesbyincessanttoilthatevenGeneralGrant，recklessofthelivesofhistroopsashewas，hesitatedtorenewtheassault。
ButintheSouthGeneralShermanwascarryingallbeforehim。
GeneralsHoodandJohnston，whocommandedtheConfederatearmiesthere，hadfoughtseveraldesperatebattles，buttheforcesopposedtothemweretoostrongtobedrivenback。TheyhadmarchedthroughGeorgiatoAtlantaandcapturedthatimportanttownonthe1stofSeptember，andobtainedcommandofthenetworkofrailways，andthuscutoffalargeportionoftheConfederacyfromRichmond。ThenShermanmarchedsouth，wastingthecountrythroughwhichhemarched，andcapturingSavannahonthe21stofSeptember。
Whilehewassodoing，GeneralHoodhadmarchedintoTennessee，andaftervariouspettysuccesseswasdefeated，aftertwodays\'hardfighting，nearNashville。InthethirdweekinJanuary，1865，Shermansetoutwith60，000infantryand10，000
cavalryfromSavannah，layingwastethewholecountry-burning，pillaging，anddestroying。ThetownofColumbiawasoccupied，sacked，andburned，thewhitemenandwomenandeventhenegroesbeinghorriblyill-treated。
TheConfederatesevacuatedCharlestonattheapproachoftheenemy，settingitinflamesratherthanallowittofallintoSherman\'shands。TheFederalarmythencontinueditsdevastatingroutethroughSouthCarolina，andattheendofMarchhadestablisheditselfatGoldsboro，inNorthCarolina，andwasinreadinesstoaidGrantinhisfinalattackonRichmond。
Lee，seeingtheimminenceofthedanger，madeanattackupontheenemyinfrontofPetersburg，butwasrepulsed。Hehadnowbut37，000menwithwhichtoopposeanenemyofnearlyfourtimesthatstrengthinfrontofhim，whileSheridan\'scavalry，10，000
strong，threatenedhisflank，andShermanwithhisarmywasbutafewdays\'marchdistant。Therewasfiercefightingonthe29th，30th，and31stofMarch，andonthe2dofAprilthewholeFederalarmyassaultedthepositionsatPetersburg，andafterdesperatefightingsucceededincarryingthem。TheConfederatetroops，outnumberedandexhaustedastheywerebythepreviousweek\'smarchingandfighting，yetretainedtheirdiscipline，andLeedrewoffwith20，000menandmarchedtoendeavortoeffectajunctionwithJohnston，whowasstillfacingSherman。Buthismenhadbutoneday\'sprovisionwiththem。Thestoresthathehadorderedtoawaitthematthepointtowhichhedirectedhismarchhadnotarrivedtherewhentheyreachedit，and，harassedateveryfootoftheirmarchbySheridan\'scavalryandOrd\'sinfantry，theforcefoughtitswayon。Thehorsesandmulesweresoweakfromwantoffoodthattheywereunabletodragtheguns，andthemendroppedinnumbersfromfatigueandfamine。SheridanandOrdcutofftwocorps，butGeneralLee，withbut8，000infantryand2，000cavalry，stillpressedforwardtowardLynchburg。ButSheridanthrewhimselfintheway，and，findingthatnomorecouldbedone，GeneralLeeandtheinfantrysurrendered，andafewdayslaterGeneralsLeeandGrantmetandsignedtermsofpeace。
GeneralJohnston\'sarmysurrenderedtoGeneralSherman，andthelonganddesperatestrugglewasatanend。
ItwasadreadfuldayinRichmondwhenthenewscamethatthelinesofPetersburgwereforced，andthatGeneralLeenolongerstoodbetweenthecityandtheinvaders。Thepresidentandministersleftatonce，andwerefollowedbyallthebetterclassofinhabitantswhocouldfindmeansofconveyance。Thenegroes，Irish，andsomeofthelowerclassesatoncesettoworktopillageandburn，andthewholecitywouldhavebeendestroyedhadnotaFederalforcearrivedandatoncesuppressedtherioting。
WhateverbadbeentheconductoftheFederaltroopsduringthelastyearofthewar，howevergreatthesufferingtheyhadinflictedupontheunarmedandinnocentpopulationofthecountrythroughwhichtheymarched，thetermsofpeacethatGeneralGrantagreedupon，andwhichwere，althoughwithsomereluctance，ratifiedbythegovernment，wereinthehighestdegreeliberalandgenerous。
Noonewastobeinjuredormolestedforthesharehehadtakeninthewar。Ageneralamnestywasgrantedtoall，andtheStatesweresimplytoreturntothepositionintheUnionthattheyoccupiedprevioustothecommencementofthestruggle。
Moreliberaltermswerenevergrantedbyaconquerortothevanquished。
VincentwaswiththecavalrywhoescapedpriortoLee\'ssurrender，butassoonasthetermsofpeacewereratifiedtheforcewasdisbandedandhereturnedhome。Hewasreceivedwiththedeepestjoybyhismotherandsister。
\"ThankGod，mydearboy，thatallisover，andyouhavebeenpreservedtous。Wearebeaten，butnoonecansaythatwehavebeendisgraced。HadeveryStatedoneitsdutyasVirginiahasweshouldneverhavebeenoverpowered。Ithasbeenaterriblefouryears，andtherearefewfamiliesindeedthathavenolossestomourn。\"
\"ItwaswellyouwerenotinRichmond，mother，thedayoftheriots。\"
\"Yes；butwehadourtroubleheretoo，Vincent。Anumberoftheslavesfromsomeoftheplantationscamealongthisway，andwantedourhandstojointhemtoburndowntheirquartersandthehouse，andtomarchtoRichmond。TonyandDan，hearingoftheirapproach，armedthemselveswithyourdouble-barreledguns，wentdownandcalledoutthehandsandarmedthemwithhoesandotherimplements。Whenthenegroescameuptherewasadesperatequarrel，butourhandsstoodfirm，andTonyandDandeclaredthattheywouldshootthefirstfourmenthatadvanced，andatlasttheydrewoffandmadetheirwaytoRichmond。
\"Yourplanhassucceededadmirably。OneortwoofthehandswenttoRichmondnextday，butreturnedadayortwoafterwardandbeggedsohardtobetakenonagainthatIforgavethem。Sincetheneverythinghasbeengoingonasquietlyandregularlyasusual，whilethereisscarcelyamanleftonanyoftheestatesnear。\"
\"Andnow，mother，thatIfindthingsarequietandsettledhere，I
shallgodowntoGeorgiaandfetchLucyhome。Ishallbeofageinafewmonths，andthehouseontheestatethatcomestomethencanbeenlargedabit，andwilldoverywell。\"
\"Notatall，Vincent。Anniewillbemarriednextmonth。HerbertRowsellwasheretwodaysago，andit\'sallsettled。SoIshallbealonehere。Itwillbeverylonelyanddullforme，Vincent，andI
wouldrathergiveupthereinsofgovernmenttoLucyandliveherewithyou，ifyouliketheplan。\"
\"Certainly，Ishouldlikeit，mother，andso，Iamsure，wouldLucy。\"
\"Well，atanyrate，Vincent，wewilltrytheexperiment，andifitdoesnotworkwellIwilltakepossessionoftheotherhouse。\"
\"Thereisnofearofthat，mother，nonewhatever。\"
\"Andwhenareyouthinkingofgettingmarried，Vincent？\"
\"Atonce，mother。IwrotetoherthedayweweredisbandedsayingthatIshouldcomeinaweek，andwouldallowanotherweekandnolongerforhertogetready。\"
\"Then，inthatcase，Vincent，AnnieandIwillgodownwithyou。
Anniewillnothavemuchtodotogetreadyforherownwedding。
Itmust，ofcourse，beaveryquietone，andtherewillbenoarrayofdressestoget；forIsupposeitwillbesometimeyetbeforetherailwaysareopenagainandthingsbegintocomedownfromtheNorth。\"
HappilyAntiochhadescapedtheravagesofwar，andtherewasnothingtomarthehappinessofthewedding。Lucy\'sfatherhadreturned，havinglostaleginoneofthebattlesoftheWildernessayearbefore，andherbrotherhadalsoescaped。AftertheweddingtheyreturnedtotheirfarminTennessee，andMrs。Wingfield，Annie，Vincent，andLucywentbacktotheOrangery。
ForthenextthreeorfouryearstimeswereverybardinVirginia，andMrs。Wingfleldhadtodrawuponhersavingstokeepupthehouseinitsformerstate；whilethegreatmajorityoftheplanterswereutterlyruined。
Thenegroes，however，forthemostpartremainedsteadilyworkingentheestate。Afewwanderedaway，buttheirplaceswereeasilyfilled；forthemajorityofthefreedslavesverysoondiscoveredthattheirlotwasafarharderonethanithadbeenbefore，andthatfreedomsosuddenlygivenwasacurseratherthanablessingtothem。
Thus，whilesomanywentdown，theWingfieldsweatheredthestorm，andthestepthathadbeentakeninpreparingtheirhandsforthegeneralabolitionofslaverywasacompletesuccess。
WiththegradualreturnofprosperitytotheSouththepricesofproduceimproved，andtenyearsaftertheconclusionoftherebelliontheincomeoftheOrangery。wasnearlyaslargeasithadbeenprevioustoitsoutbreak。Vincent，twoyearsaftertheconclusionofthestruggle；tookhiswifeovertovisithisrelationsinEngland，and，sincethedeathofhismotherin1879，haseveryyearspentthreeorfourmonthsathome，andwillnotimprobablyerelongsellhisestatesinVirginiaandsettleinEnglandaltogether。
